April 14, 2010

BOTH:

The Vatican on Wednesday tried to defuse growing anger over remarks by the pope's top aide that the problem behind the pedophile priest scandals is homosexuality and not the church's celibacy requirement.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy See's secretary of state, outraged gay advocacy groups, politicians and even the French government with his remarks Monday in Chile.

"Many psychologists and psychiatrists have demonstrated that there is no relation between celibacy and pedophilia," the Italian cardinal said. "But many others have demonstrated, I have been told recently, that there is a relation between homosexuality and pedophilia. That is true. That is the problem."

The Church's problem with the nexus of homosexuality and pedophilia is old hat. It's a simple supply/demand formula that sees pedophiles seek employment as teachers, clergy, coaches, Scout leaders, etc.. Likewise, the celibacy requirement has left the Church groping to fill its rolls, all too often with gay men. It's long past time for a priesthood of men who are fully human, in other words, married.
Posted by Orrin Judd at April 14, 2010 3:55 PM